The University of Ghana and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a cutting-edge University Innovation Pod (UniPod) at the Digital Youth Village on campus.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing digital entrepreneurship, innovation, and industry-led research and development in Ghana and across Africa.
The UniPod will be a high-tech makerspace designed to bridge academia and industry, and support the ideation, prototyping, and scaling of youth-led innovations.
The Digital Youth Hub, situated at the University of Ghana and established by the Government of Ghana, will host the UniPod as part of its broader mandate to position the University as a national center of excellence for digital transformation and youth empowerment.
The partnership underscores both institutions’ shared commitment to unlocking the potential of youth, harnessing technology for inclusive development, and driving forward the vision of an innovation-led economy.
Speaking at the MOU signing, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, stated: “We are proud to partner with UNDP and the Ministry to host Ghana’s first UniPod. This initiative not only aligns with our vision of becoming a world-class research-intensive university but also affirms our commitment to youth development, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship. The UniPod will empower our students and faculty to transform ideas into impactful solutions that contribute to national development.
Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP Regional Director for Africa, added that: “The launch of the UniPod is a bold investment in the power and potential of Ghana’s youth. Through this partnership with the University of Ghana and the Government of Ghana, we are creating a space where young innovators can imagine, create, and scale solutions that respond to real challenges on the continent. This is what the Timbuktoo initiative is all about: building an ecosystem where innovation thrives, and inclusive digital transformation becomes a reality.
Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation who was also present at the signing emphasised:
“Today’s partnership between the University of Ghana and UNDP is both timely and visionary. It reflects our national commitment to driving digital transformation through strategic investments in innovation, and youth skills development. The establishment of the UniPod is a bold step toward embedding digital innovation and entrepreneurship within our tertiary institutions. It will serve as a launchpad for student-led solutions that address real challenges and advance Ghana’s digital future.”
The partnership between the University of Ghana and UNDP aims to achieve three key objectives; first, to drive innovation and Product Development through the establishment a state-of-the-art UniPod to support ideation, prototyping, and scaling of solutions in sectors such as agriculture, climate, health, and digital services. The UniPod will also create opportunities for students, graduates and youth to access mentorship, startup support, and innovation networks.
Secondly, to promote digital skills for the future by Offering next-generation training programmes in coding and software development, 3D Printing, artificial intelligence, etc. to equip students with digital and entrepreneurial skills aligned with Ghana’s development priorities and the evolving global market.
Finally, to foster industry-led research and development by Encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration among faculty, students, and ecosystem actors to generate and commercialize industry-led, research-informed, market-ready innovations.
The MoU signing builds upon UNDP’s broader Timbuktoo initiative, which aims to catalyze innovation ecosystems and support tech-enabled innovations that can scale and drive impact across key sectors in Africa. The UniPod at the University of Ghana will be the first of its kind in the country, strategically positioned to accelerate homegrown solutions for sustainable development.
Mr. Niloy Banerjee, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana, emphasized: “We are proud to partner with the University of Ghana to co-create this UniPod, which places young people at the center of inclusive innovation. This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration between academia and development partners in building the skills and systems needed for Africa’s digital transformation.”
This collaboration is also aligned with Ghana’s national digital transformation agenda, including the government’s One Million Coders Program, which seeks to enhance youth employment and entrepreneurship through digital skills development.
As part of the implementation, the University and UNDP will convene a multi-stakeholder working group to co-design the operational and programmatic aspects of the UniPod, ensuring alignment with the university’s strategic vision and Ghana’s innovation ecosystem.
